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, `GrasGrenerevor for Hydrocarbon Furnaces. No. 229,344. Patented :une 29, 1880.

i z 1 l 1 glll llllllll UNITED STATES PATENT OFFrcF.O

"ALFRED E. WATKIN S, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR OF APART OF HIS RIGHT TO SAMUEL H. ADAMS, JOHN F. ADAMS, AND JOHN SAVAGE WILLIAMS, OF SAME PLAGE.

GAS-GENERATOR FOR HYDROOARBON-FURNACES.

SPECIFICATION forming' part of Letters Patent NO. 229,344, dated June 29, 1880.

Application led July 29, 1879.

4To all lwhom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED E. WATKINs, of Baltimore, in the county of Baltimore and State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improyemeuts in Gas-Generators for Hydrocarbon-Furnaces; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it ap 1o pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the acccompanyin g drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure l is au elevation, partly in section,

I5 showing my improvements in connection with a horizontal steam-generator; Fig. 2, a transverse section on line m x of Fig. l 5 Fig. 3, a section on line y `yof same figure 5 and Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation, showing a modifica zo tion of the gas-generating chamber designed for application to vertical boilers or other furnaces. Fig. 5is an enlarged sectional View of the serrated ring for miXin g the gases.

Corresponding letters denote like parts in 2 5 all of the figures.`

This invention relates to that class of devices Which are designed to generate gas from petroleumand other hydrocarbon substances, and for burning the same, it being an improvement upon an apparatus for a similar purpose for which an application for Letters Patent of the United States was filed by me on the 3d day of February, 1879, and which was passed for issue on the24th vday of May 3 5 following, to which reference is made for a description of parts not here shown or claimed.

Devices designed for the generation of gas from hydrocarbons, and for the burning of the samefor the purpose of generatin g steam and for 4o the treatment of metals, have been constructed heretofore; but such devices have been different in their methods of generating the gas and in preparing it for being burned, as well as in burning the same. The object of my present invention is to provide such a combi# nation of parts as will cause the device to convert into gas alarger proportion ofthe material used, and to more thoroughly com mingle there- With the requisite amount of air, or air and Vbody of the gas.

My present invention also has for its object certain combinations of parts for causing the 6o admixture ofthe gases after they have passed out of the burner, shouldL any pass out unignited, and also a combination of parts for facilitating the use of steam in generating gas in the commencement of the operation; and to these Yends my invention consists in the combination of certain parts for producing the above-recited results, which will be more fully described hereinafter, and definitely pointed out in the claims. 7o

In constructing my improved gas generator and consumer I provide a plate, A, with which to attach it to a chamber for containing oil to be burned in generating the gas necessary for y commencing the operation, as shown and described in-the case above referred to. To the under surface of this plat-e one or more receptacles, B, are attached, consisting of wire, perforated metal, or other suitable substance, which are to be supplied with steel or iron 8o shavings, small bits of metal, or some porous incombustible material, which shall serve to retard the downward passage ofthe oil, which. is delivered thereupon throughapipe, B', and sprinkler B2, which are connected with a pump 8 5 or other oil-forcin g device, and it is thus kept for a greater period of time in contact with highly-heated or gas-generating surfaces.

Immediately under the receptacles B B the corrugated or otherwiseformed gas-generat- `9o ing chambers B3 B3 are placed, upon the interior surfaces of which any oil not converted into gas in the receptacles B falls, where it receives additional heat from the steam which surrounds them and is converted into gas. Should any of the oil thus treated fail to be gasified in its passage through the apparatus, it is returned to the pipe B and sprinkler lIo B2 by means of a pump provided for that purpose, and is again passed over the heating-surfaces, and so on until it has all been converted into gas except such parts as assume a semi-solid form, which may be drawn off from the reservoir into which they fall by means of a cock provided for that purpose.

For the purpose of converting the oil or other form of hydrocarbon into gas in the generating-chambers above alluded to a pipe, C, is connected with the steam-generator C when the apparatus is used for generating steam, or with a separate generator when used for heatingiron or other furnaces. The passage of the steam through this pipe is controlled by a valve,.02, the pipe extending down by the side of the apparatus and joining a pipe, C3, which leads the steam into the chamber surrounding the gas-generating chambers, as shown in my previous application, above referred to, it being supplied with a valve, G4, by which the steam or a portion of it can be shut od from contact with said chambers and directed into a coil of pipe, G5, which is located within a passage leading from the gas-burner to the generator or other furnace, and directly in the path of the flame, which is thus made to act upon all parts of said coil, and thus superheat the steam which passes through it.

To the upper end of the coil C5 there is attached a steam-drum, G5, which communicates therewith, the drum being supplied with a safety-valve, G7, for the purpose of regulating the pressure therein. This drum serves as a reservoir for steam which maybe generated in the coil when the apparatus is being put in operation and before steam of the required pressure is formed in the generator, the water therefor being supplied to the coil through the pipe C3 and a branch leading therefrom to a pump or other forcing device.

When a fire has been lighted in the pan placed below the generating chambers, as shown and described in my application of February 3, 1879, above referred to, gas is generated and passes up through said chambers, and through and around the receptacles B, into a receiving-chamber, D, a diaphragm of wiregauze being placed above the sprinkler B2 to prevent any oil being carried upward by thev escaping gas. From the chamber D the gas passes through ductsD and D2 into perforated or slotted pipe D3, which is placed in the airduct D4. This perforated or slotted pipe has screw-threads formed upon its ends and nuts are placed thereon, as shown in Fig. 2 ofthe drawings, so that it may be lirmly secured in its position and so that the jets or current of gas lnay be directed as desired. This pipe being, as above stated,vplaced in the air-duct D4, which conducts airto the burner, soon to be described, it follows that a commingling of the air and gas takes place at that point, from which they pass on toward the outlet until they arrive at the point where the steam-chamber E is attached to the airfor the purpose of being rolled into bars.

duct. This chamber is similar in construction to the gas-chamber D', it having end passages, E E2, for conductin g the steam to a perforated or slotted pipe, E3, running across the air-duct, as shown in Fig. 3. From this pipe the steam passes through its perforations into the air-duct D4, and is there mingled with the air and gas previously admitted, in doing which it carries the whole body forward with great velocity, thus inducing a current of air through the duct D4, steam for this purpose being taken in its superheated condition from the drum C through a pipe, E4, its passage being regulated by a valve, E5. From the last-named point the commingled gas, air, and steam passes on to the outlet-orifice of the airduct D4, which is made to enter or is other# Wise connected with a hood or passage which conducts the fiame and other heated products to a steam-generator, or to any other form of device in which it is desirable to produce a high temperature.

The igniting-point of the gas is at the outlet-orifice, or where the air-duct enters the hood E6; but as the gas is mingled with sufficientair to furnish the requisite amount of oxygen for the support of colnbustion before it reaches that point, it is believed that a considerable portion of the duct D4, between the point where the jets enter it and its outlet, will be filled with flame, and as it may be desirable at times to change the character ofthe flame chemically, in order to produce certain results upon the substance to be operated upon, and especially when treating iron and steel, there is placed in any convenient position a reservoir, F, into which any desired chemical solution is placed, a pipe, F', being connected therewith, and supplied with a valve for regulating the amount of solution which shall be used at any time, said pipe extending into and across the air-duct at a point near its outlet end and within the iiame, its surface within the duct being perforated, so as to deliver the solution in small jets directly into such iiame, and thus convert it into4 steam, which operation it is believed will beneficially affect iron when being converted into steel or when being heated for the purpose of being welded, and whenin gots of steel oriron are beingheated In this way iron maybe carbonized or decarbonized, and thus improved, according to circumstances.

When this appendage is used for facilitating the welding of iron the tank should be supr plied with a strong solution of borax, and when used for further carbonizin g iron it may be filled with petroleum or any other of the hydrocarbon liquids.

For the purpose of admitting afresh supply of oxygen to the flames at or near the point where they enter the hood or passage EG, apertures G are formed either in said hood or in the conduit. These passages may be in the form of perforations or of slots. In either IOO IIO

. should any of the latter pass that point unconsurned, in order that it may be ignited in the hood or passage E6.

As a means of supplying carbon to the gas in the mixing-chamber, and thus controlling the quality of the same when admitted to the hood, there is formed in the chamber G',

and extending across the same, a trough or.

pan, H, 'which is of such form as to enable it to hold a considerable quantity of oil the specific gravity of which is less than that used `in the generating-chambers B and B3. Leading to this trough or pan is a pipe, H', which may be connected with an oil-reservoir or with a pump for supplying it with oil, said pipe being supplied with a valve or cock for regulating the flow to the pan. As the point where the pan is located is in the path of the flame. it follows that it will become highly heated; land as it is intended ,generally to use refined, or partially refined, oil at this point, it becomes necessary to `provide some means by which the solid carbon, which is likely to collect upon its surface, can be removed; and for this purpose a-pipe, H2, is provided, which is connected with the steam-generator, and is furnished with `a cock or valve, in order that upon stopping the working of the apparatus, or at any other desired time, steam may be passed through said pipe and into a cross perforated pipe, H3, located in the mixing-chamber, and thus brought into direct contact with the pan, which will have the effect to remove any substance deposited thereon, as it will not have become hardened at such time.

The hood or passage in which the mixingchamber is located, and which conducts the flame to the generator or furnace, may be of the form shown, or of any other that circumstances may require, audit may be made of iron, bricks, or any other suitable material, and

the coil of pipe may be located in any part thereof, as it is not my intention to limit my improvements to the particular form or location of the parts, but to reserve the right `to change them according to the requirement of particular cases so long as the combinationsclaimed are not affected thereby.

In that portion of the steam generator or furnace to which the outer end of the hood or passage forthe llame and gases from the burner to the place where they are to be utilized is located there is placed two or more perforated disks of cast-iron, soap-stone, such material as lire-bricks are made of, or any other material that Will resist the action of the flames and yet be a good absorbent of heat.

The function of these disks, which are lettered I I, is to comminute the current ot' gases and to distribute them evenly over the surface ot' the end of the generator, or to deliver them upon a large surface of an ironsmelting or other furnace, as Well as to serve as a means of igniting any gas that may arrive at that point in an unignited condition. They also form the ends of an additional mixing-chamber, into which, it' desired, a fresh supply of air may be admitted by a pipe leading therefrom to the atmosphere outside, so that, should there be a lack of the requisite supply of oxygen for thesupport of combustion while the gases are passing through the iiues, it can be supplied at this point.

It will be observed that the air-duet D4 is supplied with caps at the points where the perforated gas and steam pipes are located, the object being to provide a ready means for the removal of such pipes, and especially the one through which the gas enters, in order that any carbon or'other solid substance that may collect therein may be removed, and that they may be removed for repairs or renewal.

I have shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings a modified form of the gas-generating chambers, in which 1 represents an inductionaperture for the oil 2 2 2, a spiral passage for it to the point 3, where it is taken out.- In this case it is proposed to place about the spiral passage 2 and within the casing 4 a perforated annular or otherwise suitably-formed pipe, 5, to be connected with the superheating-coil or with the steam-drum in such a manner that steam thus heated may be admitted thereto and passed out through the perforations, so as to travel at a right angle, or nearly so, toward the center of theascending column of gas, for the purpose of supplying oxygen for the support of the combustion of the gas, and thus prevent loss, and also prevent the escape of what is usually termed smoke.77

This modified form of generator is designed principally for application to vertical boilers or furnaces, to which it is particularly adapted.

I am aware that it is not new to generate gas from petroleum and other hydrocarbons and utilize it in the generation of steam, and for heating iron and other furnaces, devices capable of producing such results being shown in the patents of David Dick, of October 28, 1862, No. 36,769, and of June 2, 1863, No. 38,732, and in others; and I am also aware that it is not new to combine such gas-generating apparatus with air-ducts and steam-passages for the purpose of mingling such gases With gas generated from the hydrocarbons. I do not therefore claim, broadly, the generation of gas from such materials, or the use of it for any particular purposes, or, broadly, the combination of devices for the utilization of IOO IIO

such gas; neither do I claim, broadly or separately, any of the devices herein named; but,

Having described my invention as consisting of certain combinations, what I do claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In combination with the air-duct D4 of a gas generating and burning apparatus, the removable perforated pipe D3, for the introduction of gas from the generator to said duct, the gasconducting passages D and D2, and the chamber D, which receives theV gas from the generator, all substantially as set forth.

2. In combination with the air duct or passage D4 of agas generating or burning apparatus, a steam-chamber, E, extending down upon each side of theair-duct and forming steampassages E and E2, for conducting steam thereto, and a removable perforated pipe, E3, all substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination of the air-duct D4, hood E6, serrated bands or rings O2, having upon their forward edges inwardly-projecting eX- tensions, whereby they are made to aid in commingling the air and gas which pass that point, substantiallT as described.

4. The combination, in a gas generating and burning apparatus, of the hood E6, having in it passages G G, for the introduction of air, and conduit D, for conducting to said hood the flame caused by the ignition of the commingled gases escaping from said conduit, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination of the air-duct D4, hood E6, and perforated disks I, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. In combination with the air and gas induction duct or passage D4 of a gas generating and burning apparatus, a fluid-reservoir, F, containing a chemical solution, a dischargepipe, F', and the distributing-pipe F2, arranged within the gas-passage, whereby a chemicallycharged fluid may be mingled with the flame at or near the point where the gas is ignited, and whereby the character of iron may be to some extent controlled when the apparatus is used in connection with an iron-furnace.

7. In combination with the air and gas duct D4 and the hood E5, the trough or pan H, located in front of the orifice of said duct and in the path of the burning gas, for containing oils of less specific gravity than that of those used in the generating-pans, whereby the name at that point is supplied with an additional amount of carbon.

8. In an apparatus for generating and burning-gas, the combination of a steam-generator, C, a discharge-pipe, C, controlled by'a regu'- lating cock or valve, O2, a steam-generating coil, C5, located in the path of the escaping flame, a steam reservoir or drum connected to said coil, and a pipe, C3, by which Water may be supplied to the coil and steam conducted to the generating-chambers, all substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALFRED E. WATKINS. Witnesses J. W. FILLING, U. M. GoNNELL. 

